The Baltimore Orioles appear done after adding Bud Norris to their starting rotation. They will acquire the right hander after sending their beloved prospect, L.J. Hoes in what should be an exciting deal for both the Orioles and Houston Astros.
The Orioles did not want to part ways with Hoes. He is a versatile player, who can play everywhere in the outfield. The guys at MLB Network believe Hoes is the right guy for the Astros' organization. Check out these numbers posted by the 23-year-old prospect: .304 batting average, .406 on-base percentage with three home runs and 40 RBI. He's committed five errors in 182 chances for a .973 fielding percentage.
The Astros appears to be the winner in this deal as Norris hasn't posted amazing numbers in 2013. The Orioles hit home runs, but they also give up bombs having allowed 131 long balls this season. Norris has allowed 11 home runs in 2013. It's not horrible, but for the prospects the Orioles lost in the deal, the Astros might be on the better end.
Norris is 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA. He's had a rough going in July and hopefully for the Orioles, who are currently in third place in the A.L. East with a 59-48 record, Norris can improve in the last two months of baseball. He's allowed 19 earned runs in 23 innings pitched in the month of July. The good news for the Orioles is that Norris' best performance comes in September posting an 8-7 record with a 3.14 ERA in his career.
The Orioles are in the thick of the playoff picture as they hold the second spot in the A.L. Wild Card race.
